December 16, 2022

Friends, 

I hope you and your family are well! I wanted to provide you with a few updates regarding what’s going on –

Pioneer for Prosperity Award 

This week, I was honored to receive the Pioneers for Prosperity award from Americans for Prosperity for opposing reckless spending and championing conservative policies. Thanks for stopping by and for standing for freedom and the American Dream!

Christmas in the Third District 

I enjoyed riding in the Dacusville Christmas Parade this weekend and seeing some great friends in the area. Merry Christmas, South Carolina!

Wreaths Across America Day

Wreaths Across America Day is tomorrow. On Wreaths Across America Day, we remember our veterans at Christmas wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington and cemeteries nationwide. It's a reminder to remember our fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom. Robinson Memorial Gardens in Easley is holding a wreath-laying ceremony tomorrow to pay tribute to our military and their sacrifices. God Bless our military and their families this Christmas season.

Celebrating the Bill of Rights 

On December 15, 1791, our Founders ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to our Constitution. The Bill of Rights preserves freedom by enshrining inalienable human rights into law and protecting Americans from government abuses.

Thank You to the National Guard

This week, we celebrated the 386th Birthday of the National Guard! Thanks for being "Always Ready, Always There." God bless these brave men and women for their service.

Joe Biden Releases the Merchant of Death

The Biden Administration has displayed a consistent pattern of bad judgment and America-last foreign policy decisions. Joe Biden has released the Merchant of Death, a Russian arms dealer described as “one of the most dangerous men on the face of the Earth.” Our national security is jeopardized, and lives are threatened now that the man who once armed terrorists with the intent to kill Americans walks free. Releasing Viktor Bout makes the United States (and the world) a more dangerous place. Click HERE for more information on this. 

Brittney Griner’s release came with a cost. In exchange for Brittney Griner, President Biden endangered our national security by releasing the Merchant of Death (even as Russia is involved in a war against Ukraine) and left behind former Marine Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia and has been detained since 2018. From the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, pushing reckless, inflationary spending, and refusing to secure the border, to now cutting terrible deals with Putin, we see a consistent pattern of bad judgment from the Biden Administration. There’s no possible way to spin trading an arms dealer for a woke professional athlete, and leaving the Marine behind.

I wonder if Brittney will kneel when she steps on American soil or will she fall face down and kiss the ground of a nation that allows her to be free and affirms her freedoms of speech and protest? A nation that, in spite of her illegal activities and her anti-American protests, still came to her aid, brought her home, and restored her freedom (literally!).

Legislative Action 

I cosponsored Rep. Lauren Boebert's H.R. 9575 to prohibit the Biden Administration from using taxpayer funds to transport illegal immigrants across state lines for abortions. 

I cosponsored Rep. Michael Cloud's H.J.Res. 102 to rescind the VA's rule that funds abortion through the taxpayer-funded VA healthcare system. 

In the District 

The Foothills Conservatory is celebrating its 20th anniversary of performing the Nutcracker this year. The founder and artistic director reflected on how far the production has come in those years and gave a vision for the future. The conservatory is celebrating with two shows at Clemson University’s Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

The Oconee County Public Library is collecting letters to Santa from local children through their North Pole Mailbox. Letters delivered by December 18 will be shipped to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Children have been instructed to provide a return address for Santa to write back to them.

The historic Hester General Store in Easley will reopen today as a bakery and mercantile. The store, originally built in 1893, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Katie Chaney is the owner and an Anderson native, and promises to use regional eggs, fruit, and produce when possible. She said the bakery will sell goods from local artisans and plans to host baking classes.

It is an honor to serve the Third District of South Carolina. Should you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office directly.